I remember when I first started frequenting this place, oh around the time Van was an elite contender, there was a regular cast of Vans in here every day, chirping like it was a career. A few other usual suspects from other teams as well. Funny how the usual suspects disappeared into the wind, just when some fortunes appear to have changed.
- Zezel

Coincidence......

- Zezel

I believe he will spend the year with the Leafs, with his level of talent, he won't be a bench warmer or healthy scratch either. Putting Marner and Matthews on a line could be magic. Just mentioned this option, because Saul mentioned there were only two.
- winsix

Well see what happens at camp, but I think so too.

See the article I was talking about?

- burn

No one talkin about the werth bat flip? I thought that was a slap in the face of baseball?

- Zezel

So much butthurt..... Derp, I didn't notice the player with the puck most of the time, I didn't notice the guy with more than 2pts a game.

Did he watch? Does he know what number he is? Does he know hockey?

I know it was the lockout, but somehow Yakupov managed to get himself "On Loan" to the KHL while all of his CHL friends were forced to play in the CHL. So...?

So much butthurt..... Derp, I didn't notice the player with the puck most of the time, I didn't notice the guy with more than 2pts a game.

Did he watch? Does he know what number he is? Does he know hockey?
- burn

They guy who has totally crushed junior in a way comparable to some NHL HHOFers' junior careers....

We're making VANTEL and Spatso thirsty
- systemtool

They guy who has totally crushed junior in a way comparable to some NHL HHOFers' junior careers....
- Zezel

Havent noticed....

Havent noticed....



- burn

Is that the new arena Melnyk is building for the Sens?

Well see what happens at camp, but I think so too.

See the article I was talking about?
- burn

Yes I did

I remember when I first started frequenting this place, oh around the time Van was an elite contender, there was a regular cast of Vans in here every day, chirping like it was a career. A few other usual suspects from other teams as well. Funny how the usual suspects disappeared into the wind, just when some fortunes appear to have changed.
- Zezel

It amazing what last place will do for a team

Is that the new arena Melnyk is building for the Sens?
- systemtool

It'll be connected east west and north south by lrt.... We don't need parking. It's going to be so awesome. Melnyk won't cheap out like other times.

It'll be connected east west and north south by lrt.... We don't need parking. It's going to be so awesome. Melnyk won't cheap out like other times.



- burn

What a mess that team is. Reminds me of us in our darkest days

2 goals? Bust.

What a mess that team is. Reminds me of us in our darkest days
- systemtool

How so?
The sens have quality D, young talent, decent forwards....none of which the Leafs had in their darkest days.

Marner had a storybook ending to the season. He needs to get more weight on his frame and maintain his quickness. If he can do that, and become a factor, playing beside Austin Matthews, the sky is the limit. The Leafs need to find some size to play with these two elite level junior aged forwards. It was painfully obvious, watching Hershey pound on the Marlies and how much trouble that Rouyn was for the high flying Knights, that it's an imperative, moving forward.

I also believe that Lou will find us a decent goalkeeper, since he's had a great track record in acquiring front line goaltenders. Lou was budget conscious, in New Jersey, but has a little more autonomy in Toronto.
- PrinceLH

Couldn't agree more about the size factor. Obviously, the time of the goon is gone but you need to have at least some grit who is going to be out there to protect the smaller guys.

It would come down to price point for sure but a guy like Lucic would fill that role to perfection IMO. Can't overpay for toughness though.

Matthews is the "size"

there are many who are understandably excited for the make-up of the team come fall...
1) with the promise of the kids - at a minimum we should see Matthews, Brown, Nylander and Hyman
2) could also be Marner, Leivoand Soshkinov up front
3) Carrick gets added to Rielly, Gardiner, Zaitsev and Marincin
4) JvR should be motivated
and
5) possibility of Stamkos.....

Now ... with all that positivity and the excitement it brings (and in experience) - what does the team need MORE than any one other thing
a) stable goaltending situation

there's no way the Lou and Babcock WANT to ice a team with "Mandela Sieve".... and there's no way that Shanahan wants to have the aura(read stench) that Bernier brings while it has the chance to trend upward - particularly during the centenial year.

so - if Bernier's back - it means that they are tanking again this coming year - plain and simple - and I'm pretty sure that this would be Babcock's last choice.

I would guess that Lou will take steps to add an experienced guy if inexpensive on short term deal and add perhaps one or two question marks - such as the Finnish goalie from the IIHF worlds - Mikko Koskinen, might be an option; additionally taking a chance on Jimmy Howard or MA Fleury while helping out other team's CAP situations may prove beneficial while not costing "too much" ... where coming back with Bernier behind such an inexperienced roster would be a complete confidence killer.

Of course - a better choice would be paying the price to acquire a goalie - perhaps from Anaheim or Dallas or Tampa. But those could prove VERY expensive.
- BorjeFan4Ever

I don't see Brown on the Leafs opening night roster. Certainly not over guys like Marner or Soshnikov.

Fleury is interesting for sure. You probably wouldn't have to give up a kings ransom for him and he would be a great stop gap for at least a year.

Is that the new arena Melnyk is building for the Sens?
- systemtool

Like Melnyk would put in the fancy art work in the right hand corner, poop costs money.

I don't see Brown on the Leafs opening night roster. Certainly not over guys like Marner or Soshnikov.

Fleury is interesting for sure. You probably wouldn't have to give up a kings ransom for him and he would be a great stop gap for at least a year.
- SameOld

Brown would make it before Sosh, IMO. Much as I love Soshnikov as a player, Brown is really (frank)in good.

Marner
Marlies
Jays

Brown would make it before Sosh, IMO. Much as I love Soshnikov as a player, Brown is really (frank)in good.
- WingmanWillie

Oh for sure he is, no question.

The way I see it, Soshnikov plays a Babs type game. No matter what Lou says, they aren't going to have 7 rookies on the opening night roster, even if they all deserve it.

Matthews, Nylander, Marner and Zaitsev are locks for the opening night roster. And I think that both Hyman and Soshnikov are making it over Brown. At least to start the season.

I wouldnt let him near the AHL. (frank)ing goon league.